Walmart is seeking approval to build its first New York City store in Brooklyn.

“[It’s] no secret that we’re looking for locations across the five boroughs — store sizes small, medium, and large. We don’t have any announced projects yet. We don’t have any leases signed in the city,” Restivo said.

Later, CBS 2’s Marcia Kramer attempted to get Walmart representative Michelle Gilliard to answer the following question: would the retail giant’s generous pledge to create summer jobs for city kids soften resistance to its stores being built here in New York City?

That set Mayor Michael Bloomberg off and what followed was an at times terse back and forth with Kramer.

Mark Tanis, the general manager of Shopper’s World on Pitkin Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, told Kramer it’s clear to him why Walmart made the donation.

“I feel that Walmart is trying to buy its way into the community,” Tanis said. “I don’t know why the mayor would want to infringe on the small businesses. We are everyday small businesses, mom and pop trying to make it.”

Walmart said the city donation is part of a $25 million program to help kids have a better summer.

Do you think Walmart is trying to buy its way into NYC? Or do you think its intentions are genuine? Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below.